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- The Miami Marlins played the Twins today in a rain-shortened game. Captain EO had a fairly strong outing against the Twins lowering his spring ERA to 3.38. Here is the box.
- Rule-5 draft pick Braulio Lara has been returned to the Rays. Lara was not overly impressive in Spring Training and few thought he would make the team. Alfredo Silverio, the Marlins' Rule-5 pick from the Dodgers does, however, have a chance to make an impact on the Marlins and will start the season on the DL. Marlin Maniac with the take.
- Could this be the Marlins' opening day lineup?
- The Marlins have a heated competition for center field. 2012 breakout Justin Ruggiano, Venezuelan winter league standout Gorkys Hernandez, former Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan and veteran Juan Pierre could all vie for playing time
- The Dominican Republic has advanced to the World Baseball Classic Final to face Puerto Rico. The DR has beaten PR two times already in the WBC, once in each round thus far. The Dominican Republic is probably the favorite to win it all tonight for that reason, but baseball is weird and anything can happen. The game is broadcast live on MLB Network at 8pm EST tonight and if you enjoy playoff-quality baseball and/or believe in the power of plantains you should tune in.
- The San Diego Padres have an outside chance at contention in 2013. Building upon a moderately successful 2012 season for the Padres just got a bit harder with an injury to All-Star 3rd baseman Chase Headley.
- The Marlins are a team filled with young talent, some of which hasn't even seen the major leagues. Most prospects come with high exceptions and very few actually reach those expectations. "so when is it reasonable to expect a prospect to breakout?" Beyond the Boxscore asks.
At Fish Stripes
- Michael continues his season preview series with a look at the Marlin's 2013 center field situation. Justin Ruggiano is the obvious name attached to the job as he is the incumbent, but will he end up with the job? Can he continue his 2012 breakout season?
- Jacob Turner was quite possibly the most highly touted prospect the Marlins received at the 2012 trade deadline. He pitched in Miami next year and is a large part of the Marlins' future plans, but he might not make the opening day roster.
- While it may be a bit unreasonable to expect Christian Yelich to make the Marlin's 2013 opening day roster as he has never even seen AA or AAA, it would not be entirely surprising to see him with the major league club this year.